The film Solo is a cinematic work comprising four short films: Water, Wind, Fire and Earth, all of which were directed by Bijoy Nambiar.
The first segment, entitled 'Water', chronicles the poignant love story of Shekhar, a man afflicted with a stammer, and Radhika, a woman living with blindness. Despite the physical challenges they face, the couple forms a deep bond, much to the disapproval of their families. However, the couple's joy is short-lived when Radhika discovers that she is pregnant. A preliminary ultrasound reveals that the unborn child is likely to inherit the same genetic disorder that afflicted Radhika. Nevertheless, the couple refuses to abandon their hopes. Their wedding ceremony is solemnised with great ceremony, and subsequently, Radhika gives birth to a baby girl. However, the female protagonist dies, and Shekhar goes alone with the child.
The narrative quality of the film was found to be of average quality, and the direction was also satisfactory. The performances were found to be the most commendable aspect of the film, and the musical score was notable. The film was given a rating of 6/10.
The second segment, entitled 'Wind'. The film's plot is a revenge story of a young doctor, Trilok Menon, who seeks retribution against the individuals responsible for his wife's death. Trilok marries a beautiful girl, Aisha, and they enjoy a honeymoon in a hill station. A car hits Aisha, and a young businessman, Justin, and his father-in-law are among the car passengers. Despite her survival, they ignore her and do not take her to the hospital, where she dies. Driven by a quest for justice, Trilok embarked on a mission to exact retribution upon the individuals responsible for his wife's demise. Through meticulous investigation, he managed to identify the car passengers. After a protracted period of three years, he successfully eliminated the passengers, thus fulfilling his mission.
The narrative and direction were conventional, yet both exhibited inconsistencies. The performances were commendable, and the film received a rating of 6/10.
The third segment, entitled 'Fire'. The character of Shiva is introduced as a local goon. Shiva's mother, avoided him and his younger brother during their childhood. The brother, like Shiva, aspired to follow in his footsteps and become a goon. Shiva's personal life is also explored, revealing that he was married and had a daughter. However, he did not provide a nurturing environment for them. The narrative then shifts to the murder of Shiva's father, a event that drives Shiva to seek retribution. He travels to Bombay, seeking to avenge his father's death. During this journey, he is accompanied by his brother. Shiva, through a process of investigation, learns the identity of the perpetrator and subsequently takes action. However, the perpetrator turned out to be his mother's new husband, resulting in Shiva's demise at the hands of the latter. The narrative culminates in the subsequent day, when Shiva's brother avenges his death by killing the perpetrator.
The narrative was found to be satisfactory, with effective direction and commendable performances, particularly given the minimal dialogue of the protagonist. The innovative aspect of the narrative was noteworthy. The film received a rating of 7/10.
The film's setting in Earth, where Rudra, a soldier, harbours a love for Akshara, the daughter of a high-ranking army officer. Their families are opposed to their relationship, and when Akshara receives a marriage proposal, Rudra attempts to dissuade her. Akshara departs abruptly and without explanation, travelling to Australia, a decision that Rudra follows and tries to contact her repeatedly. However, she disregards him. Four years later, on the occasion of Akshara's wedding, Rudra and his companions attend the ceremony with the intention of confronting her about her repeated failure to respond to his advances. This leads to a confrontation with her new groom, during which Rudra comes to the realisation that his father's previous relationship with Akshara's mother might have led to her perceiving them as family.
The narrative was engaging, and the direction was excellent, with cinematography and musical scores that were also noteworthy. The performances were also excellent, and the film is valuable for repeated watching, earning a rating of 8/10.
The performances are best appreciated in the context of the entire filmography, with Dulqar Salman delivering a superlative performance in each iteration. The musical scores are also noteworthy, contributing significantly to the overall impact of the films. In conclusion, this cinematic work is deemed suitable for a one time watching.
